Basement

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Style at Home senior style editor Ann Marie Favot favours a crisp, clean look with soothing pale colours and a place for everything. But when it came to her budget basement family room makeover, she also wanted a comfy, fun space for her four-year-old daughter, Maddie. Crisp and clean don't always mesh well with kids, but Ann Marie employed a few magic tricks (bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!) to turn the small 280-square-foot area into a sleek, stylish zone to suit the entire family.

A pet-hair-disguising rug, a large L-shaped sofa (white, yes, but with a removable washable cover) and easy-to-clean laminate floors stand up to the chaos of children and dogs at play.

Before the renovation

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Once upon a basement

Style at Home senior editor Ann Marie Favot favours a crisp, clean look with soothing pale paint colours and a place for everything.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Chez Maddie

With a chic style editor for a mom, is it any surprise that little Maddie loves to play restaurant hostess - and that having a beautifully set table is equally important to her as the (imaginary) food she serves?

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Before the renovation

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Artist in residence

How do you like them apples? Homeowner and senior style editor Ann Marie Favot made them herself. “The room needed some colour, and I wanted something graphic, fun and youthful, but I couldn’t find the right piece,” she says. “So I made these with construction paper.” Another budget score? The antique-look rug. She bought it on sale, and it disguises the hair of Loki, the family husky.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Budget finds: Toss cushions

A patterned toss cushion for $18 also acts as a backrest for the white banquette.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Budget finds: Artwork

Construction paper + creativity = inexpensive artwork.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Budget finds: Rug

This overdyed antique-look rug was a steal at $150 - discounted from $700!

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Before the renovation

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Miss. Dress-up

Whether hosting a princess’s tea party or performing an impromptu ballet, a young lady’s work is never done, so a costume closet - with a basket full of hats and crowns - was a makeover must.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

All dolled up

With plenty of extra storage space thanks to a customizable system, Ann Marie ensured there was a place to tuck away her daughter’s toys, from the art-supply closet to a drawer for dolls and stuffed animals.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Imagination land

In lieu of a tiny kids’ desk, a large coffee table offers more space to spread out. The massive dispenser on top offers all the art paper an imaginative child could hope for. Maddie sometimes curls up with a book on the banquette behind her desk.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Polka face

This mother-daughter workspace-slash-playroom is perfect for the creative minds at work and play here. Ann Marie can draft a room redesign at the desk while Maddie paints her Disney princess dream house at the table behind it. The long desk is actually custom made using a wall-to-wall kitchen countertop, supported by small ledges and a storage cabinet in the centre. The bold designer polkadot wallpaper would have been a splurge, but Ann Marie saved big bucks by applying it to only half the wall.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Budget findsr: Wallpaper

Ann Marie saved by applying polkadot wallpaper to one small wall.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Stacey Brandford

Basement makeover: Functional family playroom

Va-va-va vessels

Organized living comes easy when you have a place to put your most-used items. Magazine holders are key for editors like Ann Marie, and a tray for fabric samples, a cup for paintbrushes and a bowl for a measuring tape and pins are always within arm’s reach. But rather than looking cluttered, they appear chic and cohesive.

Buying guide: The truth about thread count

Buying Guides

Buying guide: The truth about thread count

Is there anything better than sliding into a bed laden with good quality sheets? At the end of the day, I can't wait to stretch out under my fresh, soft covers and nestle my face into a good cotton-covered pillow. We spend a third of our lives in bed so quality sheets are key, but how do you get quality for your money? There's no doubt that most consumers believe the higher the thread count, the better the quality, but this isn't entirely true. With the help and expertise of Joanna Goodman, owner of Au Lit Fine Linens, we expose the truth about thread count and what it takes to find quality bed sheets.

What is thread count, really?Simply put, thread count is the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. This number is based on the threads woven horizontally ("weft") and vertically ("warp"). Extra threads can also be woven into the weft threads to increase the thread count. These added threads are called "picks" and are added in the overall count, which is how some sheets end up having thread counts in the thousands. This is why the idea that high counts equal better quality isn't really accurate. Consider this: Joanna says most weavers will say the maximum number of threads that can be woven into one square inch of fabric is 500 to 600. Though the number is arguable and, according to Joanna, "depends on the mill you deal with," it gives you an idea of where the line is between single-ply, unpicked weaves and ones that add threads here and there to bump up the count.

What to look for when buying sheetsJoanna lists three things to look for on the label: if it's Egyptian cotton, where it's woven and, lastly, the thread count. While thread count is a bit misunderstood, the buzz around Egyptian cotton is true. "The very best cotton in the world is grown in Egypt. So Egyptian cotton will be of a better quality," Joanna says. She also recommends pima cotton, which is grown in America, "though not quite as exceptional as Egyptian." When it comes to weaving, however, she swears by the Italians as being the "master weavers of the world" due to their "long tradition of weaving" and use of the best Egyptian cotton. Be sure the label says 100% or pure Egyptian cotton though, otherwise it may only contain a small percentage of the good stuff. As for the thread count, look for a minimum of 200. From there, it's all about preference!

What to avoid when buying sheetsJoanna's one key piece of advice is to watch out for extremely low priced, high thread count sheet sets. A complete sheet set with a high thread count for $100 or less is probably not the dream bargain you think it is. As Joanna believes, "you always get what you pay for." The price tag for bed linens will vary depending on the sheet size and what items you're buying, such as a duvet cover, sheet sets, or pillowcases. "A superior quality 200 thread count queen set (including flat, fitted, two pillowcases), made of Egyptian cotton and woven in Europe, could retail reasonably for about $150-$250," says Joanna.

What do you prefer?After going through the quality checklist, go with what feels best for you. If you're looking for a durable linen, Joanna recommends any percale from thread count 200 to 800. Percale is any cotton woven with a 200 thread count or higher and will be more durable than a cotton satin of the same thread count. It's also less likely to pill than cotton satin because it has a denser weave. Love the feel of a cotton button down shirt? Joanna advises a crisp, dense 200 thread count percale. Prefer a silkier sheet? Go for a 300 to 600 cotton satin. If you want lighter sheets, Joanna says, a 400 thread count sheet can be soft and light, while an 800 percale would be soft and dense. The higher the thread count, the more likely multiple-ply thread is used or picks are added, making the fabric denser and heavier.

Now you know that quality is not just about the number, so don't let numbers rule your bed! Remember what to look for on the label and be wary of too-low prices for supposedly high quality items. Beyond that, go with what you prefer. Get a good feel of the sheets before buying. Whether you're unzipping the packaging or lying down on a display bed, make sure the fabric feels good against your skin and soon you'll be having sweet dreams!

Gift Guides

Stylish Christmas gifts you won't believe are under $50

Gift Guides

Stylish Christmas gifts you won't believe are under $50

Find the perfect gift for anyone on your list with these beautiful gifts all under $50.

We know: Expenses tend to add up over the holidays. From festive decorating to holiday entertaining and gift giving, of course, it’s hard to keep a budget under control. But giving a beautiful gift that will be loved and appreciated doesn’t mean spending a small fortune. Lovely, thoughtful gifts can be inexpensive yet meaningful. To help inspire you, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite gifts under $50!

1 Time For Tea Set: The perfect gift for the consummate tea lover on your shopping list this Christmas! This adorable tea set comes with a mug, a single-serve stainless steel tea infuser and a ceramic stir spoon, all perfectly perched on a wooden tray, making this easy to use any time. Trust us: Any tea lover will love this gift. Time For Tea Set, Indigo, $24.50.

2 All Natural Body Butter: Who doesn’t love the luxurious lather of a moisturizing body butter? This richly formulated, fair trade shea butter has vitamins A and E to quench dry skin and also has sweet almond and avocado oils for added moisture. Plus, this lotion’s hotel-chic packaging makes it a pretty countertop display, too! All Natural Body Butter, Bambeco, $22.

3 6x6 Instagram Collage: Help someone bring their Instagram photos to life with this beautiful Instagram display. Using Masterpix, photos are printed directly onto Corning® Gorilla® Glass, which is really thin, durable and clear. This is a great personalized gift that anyone would be thrilled to receive so they can display some of their favourite photos around the house. 6x6 Instagram Collage, Masterpix, $30.

4 Milk & Rose Glass Taper Candle Holders: Candles are a common Christmas gift but this year, why not give something a little different? These taper candle holders are absolutely exquisite and will delight any hostess who loves to make her table extra special when she entertains. Milk & Rose Glass Taper Candle Holders, White Lilac, $50.

5 Wood Calendar: We love the idea of personalized gifts and this wooden calendar is not only perfectly personal but also very handy heading into the new year. Choose 12 beautiful photos and turn them into a 12-month calendar. The printed pages sit in a handcrafted clipboard made from reclaimed beetle pine. This is a gift that will be treasured for years to come. Wood Calendar, Artifact Uprising, $30.

6 Pryce Bowl: At just $49.95, this bowl looks a lot more expensive than it is. Made of blown glass and featuring a hand painted platinum silver ring around the polished rim, this bowl will make a great centrepiece on any table. Its clean, classic look gives it an enduring appeal and it will look right at home on tables for generations to come. Pryce Bowl, Crate and Barrel, $49.95.

7 Cable Knit Pillow Cover: These super soft cable knit pillow covers are made from 100% organic cotton and will turn any sofa into an ideal napping spot. In a stylish shade of metal grey, this neutral pillow will easily slip into any decor scheme., Plus, check the website for the matching throw! Cable Knit Pillow Cover, Boll & Branch, $45.

8 Striped Marble and Wood Bookend: The bibliophile on your Christmas shopping list is sure to appreciate this gift. These bookends are made in India from interlocking pieces of mango wood and marble so not only will they help keep their bookcases in order, they’ll do so in some serious style! Striped Marble and Wood Bookend, West Elm, $49.

Small Spaces

A small cabin on Hornby Island becomes a dreamy vacation property

One designer helps a B.C. couple achieve the vacation home of their dreams.

We didn’t have to knock down walls. We had to put them up – and that almost never happens,” says designer Dan Vickery on the transformation of this small cabin on Hornby Island, B.C. A project he took on as one of the hosts of W Network’s new show Love It or List It Vacation Homes, the cottage was far from complete. Homeowners Jim and Lauren Wolf (he’s a city planner, historian and author; she’s the executive director of a not-for-profit organization) purchased the 700-square-foot space on a whim in 2005, and for the next 10 years, the New Westminster, B.C., couple spent vacations lovingly updating and expanding the cabin to suit their family, which includes 16-year-old son Griffin, Felix the Jack Russell terrier and Loonie, “a fat and fussy ginger tomcat.” They raised the existing structure and set it on a new concrete foundation; flipped the blue-stained siding to reveal its natural cedar finish; and added an Arts and Crafts-style porch to suit the artist-populated island. And they didn’t stop there: Jim and Lauren continued to enlarge the cottage, incorporating a full kitchen, extending the main-floor master bedroom (“so it could actually fit a queen-sized bed,” he says) and building a second level for more bedrooms.

“Jim is an artist at heart,” says Dan. “And while he’s great at starting projects, he’s not so great at completing them. When I entered the scene, the only finished rooms were the kitchen, bathroom and living area.” But, Dan clarifies, the flooring was mismatched, and the bathroom had an exposed water heater at its centre. In addition, the master bedroom had no insulation, and the entire upstairs was built only to the studs. The challenge – made even more difficult by the fact that the island is three ferry rides from mainland B.C. – may seem daunting to most, but Dan was in his element. “This was a fun project,” he says. “We just had to fix some construction issues and put up some walls to define the upstairs bedrooms.” (Ha! “Just.”)

“The hardest part,” says Dan, “was hunting down unique items that would speak to the character of the cabin, its artful setting and, especially, Jim and Lauren themselves.” Of the couple’s established style, he adds: “Every part of this place has a story. There are pieces from different vintage shops they’ve visited or vacations they’ve taken. There’s a sense of love and warmth as soon as you walk in.” So to continue the welcoming atmosphere, Dan sourced a lot of items from the Free Store, a Hornby Island spot where people can adopt others’ donated goods and building materials at no cost. It’s where Dan located stuff like the sheet metal (used as a textured wall treatment in Griffin’s room) and salvaged barnboard (turned into a herringbone headboard in the master bedroom, not shown).

The strategy was a success, because when it came time for Jim and Lauren to decide whether they’d keep this freshly renovated cabin or buy a new place (the premise of the Love It or List It franchise), it was a no-brainer: “The other properties couldn’t match the sweat equity that we had already invested and would never have our history so entwined in every corner,” says Jim. “This cottage is a part of our family’s story.”

This cabin may be three ferry rides away from where Jim and Lauren Wolf reside in mainland B.C., but designer Dan Vickery brought the homeowners closer to their ideal vacation property than they could have dreamed.

“Sometimes all that’s needed to define the different areas of a great room is a little bit of extra breathing space in between,” says designer Dan Vickery of the small open-concept main floor that features a living room, dining area and kitchen. In a clever twist on tradition, Dan used a basket as a shade for the dining room pendant light.

The light-filled living room was one of the more finished areas of the cabin when Dan arrived on the scene. Apart from the flooring and a few blue accessories (“I love that the homeowners weren’t afraid of colour,” he says), almost everything else here stayed the same.

The mud room/ laundry room boasts a washer and dryer, open and closed storage and a bench for pulling shoes on and off. It even conceals the ugly water heater that was once exposed in the bathroom (just beyond that white door). “Since the area is open to the main living space, it had to look good,” says Dan. “The result demonstrates how design can be beautiful and functional at the same time.”

“If a client tells me they’re not afraid of colour, I’m going to give it to them,” says Dan, who incorporated bold hues, such as the rusty orange of the master bedroom’s tufted armchair, throughout the house.

The homeowners’ teenaged son, Griffin Wolf, was so thrilled to finally get a place of his own: Until now, his bedroom was just one big unfinished space. “There was no sense of privacy,” says Dan. “Griffin’s room was open to the living area below.” An old paddle offers creative wall art that’s perfectly fitting for Hornby Island, which attracts both artsy and sporty types.

Demarcated by new walls, Griffin’s bedroom is positioned behind this little loft area, which is open to the downstairs living room. The cheerful space features a lounger (not shown) that unfolds into a small bed for guests wanting to spend the night, as well as this tiny office nook for anyone who has extra work to complete.

While a shiplap-look treatment lends texture to three of the walls in Griffin’s new room, corrugated metal roofing provides interest on the fourth. “Colour is obviously critical to great design,” says Dan. “But every space should take a good black and white picture as well, because when you take colour out of the equation, texture is what’s left to analyze.”

Modern Scandi-chic Christmas home gets cozy Norwegian style

House Tours

Modern Scandi-chic Christmas home gets cozy Norwegian style

Food and prop stylist Tara Ballantyne translates her time spent in Norway into a cozy, modern Scandi-chic home.

It was love at first sight. “I had been working in the world of interiors for a while,” says stylist, on-air expert for The Marilyn Denis Show and homeowner Tara Ballantyne of finding her muse. “But when I arrived in Norway, I thought, ‘This is it! This is my style.’” Tara lived there on and off for three years while her husband, Paul, played professional hockey. And although the couple returned to Canada nearly five years ago, in terms of style, Tara never really left.

“One hundred percent of my decor is inspired by Scandinavia,” says Tara of the 1,700-square-foot open-concept house in Waterloo, Ont., that she shares with Paul and their two-year-old twins, Archer and Basil. From the light and airy muted palette to the modern furnishings to the layers of faux fur and handcrafted touches, Tara brought her favourite features of Norwegian style home with her, both figuratively and literally. “I didn’t want to ship a lot home, so I packed the smaller items in my luggage...and a surplus of stools,” says Tara with a laugh. “I could fit them in a hockey bag.”

Tara maintains the same scheme and design principles when decorating for the holidays. “Norwegians place a huge focus on artisans and crafts,” she says, explaining the inspiration for her festive felt decorations. A light palette, layers of blankets and furs, paper star lanterns and candles are also typical. “It’s so dark in Norway at this time of year – the sun goes down by 3 p.m. – but people still sit outside, covered in furs, to enjoy their coffee,” she says. “When you look inside their homes and everything is so warm and bright, it’s truly magical.” How wonderful that she recreated that magic here.

Photo Gallery

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

Silver and gold

When the holidays hit, homeowner Tara Ballantyne elevates her simple white, grey, brown and black palette with metallics like silver and gold. “I’m always trying new looks and trends for my work as a stylist, and because I think in colour so much for my job, I like to come home to a muted environment,” says Tara.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

Natural gifts

Tara transformed a fallen birch branch into an unexpected advent calendar. Attached are small gifts like blocks and tiny toys, as well as atypical items like a mini tin of maple syrup. “On the day the boys unwrap the syrup, I’ll make them pancakes for breakfast,” says Tara. Holiday tip: Create your own DIY advent calendar. One is made with candles and the other with gifts hanging from a birch branch.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

Naughty or nice

Tara and her husband, Paul, sit with the Ballantyne boys, Archer and Basil, who adore their teepee (a gift from Grandma) so much that they use it for both playing (nice!) and hiding (naughty!). Holiday tip: Use white paper stars in the front windows and simple white twinkle lights along the eaves and around some windows.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

Simply perfect

Handmade details define Tara’s style, from the felt pinecone gift toppers to the heart-shaped tree ornament. Nothing here is overly Christmasy – even the garland. “I wear it as a necklace, too,” she says, ever thinking outside the holiday box. Holiday tip: Make your own ornaments or buy unique handmade ones from special places like a Christmas market or craft fair – that way, there’s a story for every ornament, and tree trimming is like opening a box of memories!

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

Make memories

Holiday tip: A hand-carved wooden ornament that was purchased at an open-air Christmas market in Norway. “Every year, when I unpack it, I’m immediately transported back to our time living there,” says Tara.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

Strategic colour palette

Tara introduced pops of black to her home’s palette around the same time her twins arrived. “It allowed me to use more patterned black and white fabrics,” she says, “which are not only more rock ’n’ roll, but also better at hiding mess.”

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

Play dress up

The bust of a waterbuck ram (a nod to Tara’s South African heritage) gets gussied up with some handmade felt garlands.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

DIY ornament

You’d never guess that this ornament was a simple project made with felt circles and a glue gun.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

Multi-purpose wreath

Covered in two-toned yarn, this wreath is multi-seasonal – the felt flowers can be repositioned or swapped out to suit any occasion.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Modern Scandi-chic home

Pick the wrapping

When shopping for wrapping paper, Tara grabs a basket, picks all the prints she loves and then takes a step back and assesses which are too similar and which don’t match, whittling the choices down to three or four papers. “I also hit end-of-season sales and select patterns that work for other holidays, too,” she says.